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Harare Bureau—
ANOTHER series of very high temperatures has hit the country with low lying areas expected to record extreme temperatures of between 33 and 42 degrees Celsius. In a statement, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) said high temperatures were a cause for concern in the country. The MSD said the extreme hot and dry conditions being experienced in some parts of the country would continue until tomorrow.
“The Meteorological Services Department wishes to advise the public in the following: Matabeleland South, Masvingo, much of the Midlands, Manicaland and most of Mashonaland provinces, it is forecast that high daytime temperatures would affect these areas during the period December 3 to 9, 2015,” reads part of the statement.
“These temperatures are expected to range from 33 to 42 degrees Celsius and are linked to hot and dry winds blowing from warmer regions near the Equator.” The MSD said high temperatures could prompt violent thunder showers.
“The temperatures are however expected to reduce in Matabeleland North as a cloud system is affecting those areas. It’s also important to note that a combination of this moisture together with the heat can trigger violent thundershowers that may be accompanied by hail and strong winds.”
The department urged the public to take cautionary measures such as drinking lots of water, avoiding prolonged stays in the sun, saying hot and dry conditions were conducive for runaway fires. In the past weeks, the country recorded high temperatures which broke records set 60 years ago.
The scorching heat, which swept across most parts of the country, averaged between 33 and 43 degrees Celsius. Recently, two Air Zimbabwe planes travelling to Kariba failed to land following extremely high temperatures which exceeded the prescribed 40 degrees Celsius required for landing and take-off purposes, forcing the planes to make a U-turn.
AirZim authorities have since highlighted that due to the continued effects of heat waves posed by climate change, airliners could be forced to introduce different timetables. Scientists have said one of the strongest El Nino events ever recorded is now underway and is affecting Zimbabwe as well as other countries.
Online Reporter